These are all the incoming iOS 26 features that are actually worth knowing about

Most Apple updates tend to be behind the scenes changes, whether it’s data protection or bug fixes. Frankly, they’re boring and I don’t need to know about them. But the new iOS 26 was finally announced at the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference this week and it actually has some tech features that are worth knowing about.

The new update will be heading to our devices this autumn after the beta release comes out in July and something that immediately catches our eye is the name change. The most beady-eyed of you will notice that our devices are currently running iOS18. Well, Apple finally made the wise choice to update the numbers to correspond to the year in which they will apply. Immediately a good move. 

Here are all the other iOS26 features worth knowing about.

Groupchat polls

via Apple

Something that a lot of messaging apps like WhatsApp already include are group chat polls. They’re super useful for organising when to meet up for your group project, settling debates, or even just deciding whether it’s a post exam pub or club. We’re very happy that Messages is now including this.

Maps delay warnings

Now this is how we know we’re in the future. Apple has announced that Maps will get used to the routes you take each day and can notify you of any delays, even before you leave the house. This tracking does seem a little scary at first but, now that I think about it, this will make getting to uni in the treacherous weather a lot easier.

Visual intelligence

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Visual intelligence is a fancy name for the Apple equivalent of Android’s Circle to Search. Android has been running their version of this for a few years now, so I’m glad that it’s finally coming over to Apple. Users simply need to circle something on their screen and their phone will search it up for them. Research projects just got a lot easier. 

Photos app

A huge controversy that came out of iOS18 was the atrocious update to the Photos app. Thankfully, it listened to our feedback and have reintroduced the navigation bar at the bottom of the screen. An absolute relief, I must say. Struggling to find that one screenshot of a lecture presentation you took at the start of first term? Sorted. 

Hold assist

The final useful update on our list is part of the Phone app. We all hate calling customer service lines and having to listen to the same hold music for the best part of an hour. Now, iOS26 ensures that you can just go about your day while you wait, and your phone will notify you when you finally get through to a real agent! Um, genius. 

Overall, iOS26 looks like one of the better iOS updates in a few years. Looks like even our parents will be able to handle this without much confusion. 

Featured image via Apple